best walkie-talkie?

grnamin

grnamin

Joined
Oct 6, 1998
Messages
2,269
Anyone know of a good brand for walkie-talkies that can work between multiple floors in a building? I work on the 24th, 27th and 41st floors in a building and need commo when someone needs to reach my colleagues or myself. Budget: no more than $200.

TIA,

Greg
 
Heya Greg,
That's a good question. Overall, I've had a pretty good experience with my little Motorola Talkabout type radios (which can now be had for less than $100 a piece), but I have no idea how they would fare trying to transmit through all those floors of steel and concrete. Does your building have a security or maintenance staff that carry walkie-talkies? They may be able to provide you with some valuable input.

How do cell phones work in those big Manhattan skyscrapers? I only ask because several of the newer cell phones now have a pretty cool two way radio feature. If I'm not mistaken this radio feature operates off the existing cell phone relay network and it would seem to make sense that if regular cell phone calls work in these buildings, then the radio feature would probably also work effectively. Let us know how you make out.

------------------
Semper Fi

-Bill
 
Does your building have a security or maintenance staff that carry walkie-talkies? They may be able to provide you with some valuable input.
Click to expand...

The building maintenance personnel carry Motorolas in the $1000 range! Yikes!

How do cell phones work in those big Manhattan skyscrapers? I only ask because several of the newer cell phones now have a pretty cool two way radio feature. If I'm not mistaken this radio feature operates off the existing cell phone relay network and it would seem to make sense that if regular cell phone calls work in these buildings, then the radio feature would probably also work effectively.
Click to expand...

That would be the Motorola phones that Nextel services. I've been told that they don't work too well between floors in the building I work in. I'll keep searching for a solution short of the ever reliable cups and string.
biggrin.gif


-Greg

[This message has been edited by grnamin (edited 09-26-2000).]
 
The problem with using either radios or cell phones in concrete and steel buildings is that sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Also, just because one works doesn't mean the other will work, either.

Motorola makes the best radios, period. The Talkabout FRS radios are under $200/each, but at 0.5 watts, I doubt they would work in the your environment. They're more for "mall use".

For use between 17 floors, you'd need a commercial grade UHF radio, such as Motorola Radius radios. I've used a Radius GP300 extensively both within buildings and between buildings. Even at 4 watts, sometimes it's just not enough to penetrate a lot of floors. These radios cost between $500-$800 each. They also require an FCC license (you just apply for it).

You might also look into using cellular phones. If the cell antenna is relatively close, you might be able to make and receive calls in your building. The Nextel phones also feature a "cellular walkie talkie" type feature. Personally, I carry a Motorola Startac with MCI service and anyone who needs to reach me can do so from an ordinary phone.

Good luck!

biggrin.gif
 
Between that many floors, there's not much you can do, without an antenna and repeater system.

Just for a comparison, when I worked in retail loss prevention, in a three floor department store, we used Motorola GP-300 radios, UHF (about $500.00 each). Without a repeater, these radios would not work reliably in the store. A repeater is now used, with a high gain antenna in the ceiling (the radios were 5 watt output, the repeater was 25 watt output, for info.).

--dan
 
Thanks, Skyline and Dan. I wonder if Nextel has a radio only service? Hey Dan, how the Starmate holding out?

-Greg
 
Damn...good memory, the Starmate is staring at me, covered in Teriyaki sauce from dinner...
wink.gif


--dan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top